Rhodes Wins at SummerSlam; WWE Inks ESPN Deal

At WWE SummerSlam 2025, Cody Rhodes avenged his WrestleMania defeat by beating John Cena to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship, cementing his status as WWE's new face and joining Cena on his retirement tour. Seth Rollins shocked fans by cashing in Money in the Bank on CM Punk, adding to the event's surprises. Randy Orton has assumed the role of locker room leader, succeeding The Undertaker. Brock Lesnar returned after a two-year absence tied to his mention in the Vince McMahon sexual misconduct lawsuit, though he faces no formal accusations. Roman Reigns returned in a tag team match that opened the show, prompting discussion about his placement on the card. WWE also announced a $1.6 billion, five-year exclusive streaming deal with ESPN, beginning in 2026 and covering major events including WrestleMania.